Rainbow Skies for Teachers

What happens when a psychologist and a seasoned teacher team up to support neurodivergent learners? Insight, experience, and heart—all rolled into one conversation. In this episode, Ashleigh sits down with Lisa and Lianne, the passionate duo behind Elevated Teachers , to explore the powerful ways educators can better support neurodiverse students—without burning out. Together, they unpack common m...

In this episode we’re showing you how a deck of UNO cards can become one of your most versatile teaching tools, especially for measurement! From comparing lengths in Kindergarten to converting units in Year 4, we’re sharing fun, hands-on activities that make maths more meaningful and less worksheet-heavy. We also take a trip down memory lane with some of our own data lesson experiences (remember t...

Today we’re joined by the fabulous Julia - an experienced classroom teacher who brings a calm, clear-eyed approach to differentiation that will leave you feeling capable, confident, and ready to make small changes with big impact. Together we explore what differentiation really looks like in action, and spoiler alert, it doesn’t have to mean rewriting your entire lesson plan! From math warm-ups to...

This week Ashleigh flips the script as the guest, chatting with Kelsey Sorenson from Educate & Rejuvenate about all things maths, mindset, and making learning joyful. Ashleigh opens up about her personal maths journey (yes, her dad was a maths teacher!), shares easy ways to bring creativity into the classroom, and offers teacher-tested strategies to help all students feel confident and include...

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers , we’re sharing practical, fun ways to take your maths lessons outside. From number relays to times table soccer, we talk through simple activities that help students move, collaborate, and build confidence in their mathematical thinking. We also dive into the benefits of outdoor learning—from improving focus and creativity to supporting emotional regu...

In this special collaborative episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers , we honour NAIDOC Week 2025 by exploring this year's theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy . We are joined by five inspiring educators, each sharing their unique perspectives on how these pillars can be acknowledged and celebrated in the classroom. Our guests delve into what strength, vision, and legacy m...

This week we venture beyond the traditional classroom with Victoria Hackett from Outdoor Classrooms , an expert in weaving nature, play, and purpose into everyday teaching. With over a decade of experience championing outdoor education, Victoria shares how learning gardens and nature-based activities can do wonders for student wellbeing, regulation, and overall engagement—and just as importantly,...

Think playdough is just for the early years? Think again! In this episode, we explore how playdough can become your secret weapon for teaching maths concepts in Grades 3–6. From creating number lines to measuring angles, they share 8 classroom-ready ideas that will make your maths block more hands-on, differentiated, and downright irresistible. This episode was inspired by a content planning sessi...

Get ready to meet the principal who’s rewriting the rulebook - one hallway conversation at a time. In this energising chat, we’re joined by Jared Lamb (commonly known as @principal_lamb), the dynamic school leader known for ditching the principal’s office in favour of a rolling cart, 20,000 steps a day, and a relentless commitment to connection. We dive into Jared’s bold decision to lead from the...

Are your students groaning when it’s maths time? Let’s change that—starting today! In this energising episode, we dive into six tried-and-true strategies for turning your maths block into one of the most engaging parts of the school day. If you are looking for fresh inspiration, these tips will empower you to create lessons that are hands-on, inclusive, and loved by all learners. This episode is a...

Breaking down barriers starts with small shifts, big heart, and the belief that every child deserves to thrive. In this empowering episode, we explore what it really takes when it comes to teaching students with autism—with real-life strategies, heartfelt stories, and a whole lot of teacher-to-teacher encouragement. We sit down with educator and author Eliza Rudston, whose book Confidently Teach S...

In this energising episode, we sit down with classroom champion and education leader Aaron Johnston to explore what it really takes to thrive as a teacher, especially when navigating the challenges of composite classes and high expectations. Aaron brings his signature practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement as we chat about his career in teaching and what he has learned along the way. Togethe...

Report card season doesn't have to mean late nights and coffee-fuelled stress! In this episode, Ash and Alisha are diving into practical, time-saving strategies to make report writing smoother, more efficient, and—dare we say it—more enjoyable. From creating systems that actually work , to harnessing the power of assessment books and AI tools, this episode is packed with helpful ideas to supp...

Let’s be honest—school politics can be a lot . Whether it’s gossip in the staffroom, unclear power dynamics, or just the unspoken rules of the workplace, navigating it all can take a toll on even the most passionate teachers .In this episode, we are getting real about school politics. They’re sharing practical, mindset-focused strategies to help you rise above the noise, set healthy boundaries, an...

How often do you pause during the school day to give your students (and yourself!) a chance to reset? In this energising episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers , we’re joined by the wonderful James Robinson from Amplify to talk all things brain breaks—what they are, why they matter, and how to use them effectively in your classroom. James shares practical tips, simple activities, and must-know stra...

Mother’s Day can be such a special time in the classroom—but it can also feel tricky to navigate with diverse family dynamics, packed schedules, and the pressure to create something meaningful. Don’t stress! In this week’s episode, we are sharing their go-to Mother’s Day activities that are thoughtful, easy to prep, and adaptable for any special person in a child’s life. From heartfelt writing tas...

Let’s be real—division can feel like one of those topics students just don’t click with straight away. But it doesn’t have to be dry or difficult! In this episode, we are sharing fun, hands-on, and brain-boosting strategies to help your students understand and enjoy division. From fact family fun to paper plate crafts, peer mentoring, and clever games, this episode is full of easy-to-implement ide...

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of connection in education. Joining us are two incredible educators, Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns, co-authors of Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students . Erika and Tiffany share their insights on how meaningful conversations can shift the focus from managing behaviour to building connections that foster student gro...

Differentiation is one of the most effective ways to meet the diverse needs of students in your classroom. We break down simple, practical strategies that you might already be using without even realising it! We explore learning profiles, scaffolding, flexible seating, project-based learning, open-ended questions, peer teaching, and technology—all powerful tools to create a student-centred learnin...

Teaching is more than a job—it’s a passion. But that doesn’t mean it should take over your entire life. In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer, from Everything Just So, to tackle one of the biggest challenges teachers face: work-life balance. Feeling burnt out? Overwhelmed by endless to-do lists? Constantly battling Sunday dread? You’re not alone. Today, we share practical strategies to help y...

This year, we are taking part in Podcasthon, the global charity podcast event! This week’s episode is dedicated to Street Smart, a charity that believes no one should be without a safe and secure place to call home. Ever feel like you’re losing your voice trying to get your students' attention? We have been there! This week we are sharing ways to get your students attention while saving your...

NAPLAN or any testing season can bring a mix of emotions for both teachers and students—stress, pressure, and sometimes even frustration. But what if we approached it differently? In this episode, we discuss how to navigate NAPLAN (testing season) in a way that prioritises kindness, resilience, and a love of learning, rather than just test scores. What We Cover in This Episode: The realities of te...

Harmony Week is a special time in Australia to celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and connection in our communities. In this episode, we explore some meaningful and engaging ways to bring Harmony Week to life in the classroom and across the whole school. From math activities that encourage data collection to school-wide displays and read-alouds, this episode is packed with practical ideas that will...

As teachers who've been there, we know that building number fluency is about more than just drilling facts—it’s about creating engaging, confidence-boosting experiences that help students develop essential skills for problem-solving and critical thinking. In this episode, we explore how to make fluency fun, effective, and stress-free for all learners. Alisha shares a personal classroom challe...

As teachers who've been there, we understand the importance of having reliable, ready-to-use resources at your fingertips. In this episode, we walk you through 12 months of free teaching resources that will make your classroom life easier and more engaging. We're sharing our favourite freebies that we've created specifically for primary teachers, breaking them down month by month so...